Containers



y 8, 1963 P. F. GAWRON 3,091,361

CONTAINERS Filed March 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I: $9 INVENTOR. if BYfiawl azz ATTORNEYS May 28, 1963 P. F. GAWRON 3,091,361

CONTAINERS Filed March 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY WM 31ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,091,361 CONTAINERS Paul F. Gawrou,Rimmon Road, Woodbri-dge, Conn. Filed Mar. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,475 1(Ilairn. (Cl. 220-97) This invention relates to containers and isdirected particularly to improvements in containers designed forstacking.

In the manufacture of containers designed for marketing food productsand other commodities such containers are conventionally made in such away that it is difficult to stack them one upon the other and maintainthe same in stacked arrangement. Considering the conventional metalcans, for example, these are made with flat end walls usually flangedaround the edge and of the same diameter from one end to the other.Accordingly, when such containers are placed one upon the other there isonly a narrow edge-to-edge contact between the flange at the top end ofone can and the flange at the bottom edge of the overlying can. As aresult such cans or containers can be easily knocked out of position andwill slip one from the other and thus the entire stack may collapse tothe great inconvenience and even with the risk of injury to personswhose duties require that the containers be kept in stacked condition orto person who may be standing near the stack at the time.

In view of the foregoing it is a particular object of the presentinvention to provide a new and novel type of container wherein a numberof the same can be easily stacked one upon the other and wherein theends of the container present broad surfaces which will guarantee thesame maintaining position one upon the other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and noveltype of container wherein top and bottom walls are designed in such away that a positive coupling can be established between the bottom wallof one container and the top wall of another container so as topositively preclude any possibility of the connected or stackedcontainers slipping laterally relative to one another.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel type ofcontainer wherein opposite end walls are formed one with a depressedportion and the other with an extended portion and wherein thecircumferential measurement of the depending or extended portion isrelated to the interior measurements of the depressed portion wherebythe extended portion of one container can be inserted or tel-escopedinto the depressed portion of the other container so as to firmly couplethe two containers together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and noveltype of container wherein the end walls are so designed that a portionof one end wall may be inserted into a portion of the other end wall ofa duplicate container to secure the containers together and whereinfurther a portion of one end wall of the container is adapted to beopened to facilitate the extraction of the contents thereof.

The invention broadly contemplates in one embodiment thereof, acontainer or receptacle body having opposite end walls wherein one ofsuch end walls is formed with a depressed or inset area, preferably ofcircular form, peripherally joined to an upstanding or outwardlyextending flange and which flange is in turn joined to the inner edge ofa flat annular portion and which annular portion is joined at its outeredge to the end edge of the container wall. Thus such flat annularportion presents a flat surface lying in a plane perpendicular or normalto the longitudinal axis of the container. The opposite end wall of thecontainer embodies a central projecting or outwardly extending portionof the same configuration as the depressed portion at the opposite endand which projecting 3,091,351 Patented May 28, 1963 portion isconnected to an encircling inwardly projecting flange which in turn isjoined to the inner edge of a flat annular rim portion and such rimportion being joined at its outer periphery to the adjacent end edge ofthe receptacle wall. In this construction the depressed portion and theprojecting portion, or depressed area and the projecting area of the twoend walls are so dimensioned that the projecting portion or area can beinserted into and frictionally secured in the depressed area portion ofthe opposite wall of a container of duplicate construction.

In a second embodiment of the invention the depressed area of the endwall has a central opening formed therein which is defined by anupstanding flange and a closure cap is provided for such opening whichhas a peripheral channel designed to receive the flange of the opening.The opposite end wall of the container of the second embodiment isformed to provide an outwardly opening socket portion which is of propersize and configuration to receive a cap on the opposite end of anothercontainer of duplicate construction.

In a third embodiment of the invention a receptacle is provided in whichthe end walls combine the features of the receptacle of the firstembodiment and the receptacle of the second embodiment in that one endwall has the referred to depressed area formed with a central openingdefined by an upstanding flange and a closure cap and the opposite endwall of the receptacle or container has a projecting portion orprojecting area which in the central part thereof is flat and whichenters the depressed area of the end wall of another container to bearupon the closure cap. In this third embodiment the said projectingportion of the said opposite end wall provides a wide flat surface uponwhich the container may rest when it is detached from another container.Also this third embodiment is designed primarily for marketing paintsand other heavy type liquids and for this use it would be made inconsiderably larger size than the containers of the first and secondembodiments.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification with the understanding,however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity withthe showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long assuch changes or modifications mark no material departure from thesalient features of the inven-' tion as defined by the appended claim.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of two containers constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention and showing thesame joined or coupled together in stacked relation, the containersbeing broken away to show details of the interconnecting portions of theadjacent or opposing end walls.

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale taken substantially onthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale taken substantially onthe line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing two second or modified embodimentsof the container structure in joined relation, with portions of thewalls of the two containers broken away to show interconnecting portionsof the adjacent or opposing end walls thereof.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially onthe line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially onthe line 6-45 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 4, showingtwo containers of modified construction in stacked relation.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 through the bottom ofone of the modified containers.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. through the top of oneof the modified containers.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference will first behad to FIG. 1, 2 and 3, which illustrate a first or simplifiedembodiment of the present invention. In this figure two of thecontainers are illustrated in stacked relationship or positioned oneupon the other. These two containers are designated 10 and 12. However,since the containers Itl and 12 are of duplicate construction thefollowing description of one will, of course, apply to the other.Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be used upon both of theillustrated containers.

The first embodiment of the invention comprises the body 14 which ishere shown as being of cylindrical form, although it is to be understoodthat the invention need not necessarily be confined to a cylindricalcontainer but may be of any form such as rectangular, square or thelike. The container here illustrated may be formed of plastic andaccordingly it is so illustrated but here again it is to be understoodthat while this is the case, the invention is not necessarily limited tothe use of such material.

The container embodies the two opposite end walls which may be referredto as the top end wall generally designated 16 and the bottom end wallgenerally designated 18.

The top end wall 16 is formed in one piece from a suitable flat sheet ofplastic, metal or whatever material is selected and is provided with adepressed central area 20, here shown as being circular in form. Thisdepressed portion 20' is defined by a surrounding flange or wall 2 2,the top edge of which is joined to the inner periphery or edge 23 of afiat annular portion 24-. This annular portion 24 presents a relativelywide outer surface which lies in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the container and the outer edge or perimeter ofthe portion 24 is joined to the end edge of the wall 14 at 25, the joinbeing effected in a suitable manner. For example, where the receptaclemay be completely closed after being filled, the join between the endwall portion 24 and the end of the side wall 14- may be effected byfusing or cementing the plastic portions together. However, where thereceptacle may be formed of some other material such as metal, obviouslythe join may be effected by soldering or the like.

The bottom end wall 13 is in effect a complete reversal of the top wall.Thus the bottom end wall comprises a central outwardly or axiallyprojecting area or portion 26 joined to or defined by the surroundingflange 2'7 and this flange joins the inner edge 28 of a flat annularportion 29, the outer edge of which portion is joined in a suitablemanner as at by suitable means as hereinabove described with referenceto the join 25 to the end edge of the wall 14.

It will be seen upon reference to FIGURES 2 and 3 particularly and alsoto the joined ends of the two containers 10 and 12, that the exterior oroutside diameter of the projecting bottom wall portion or projectingbottom wall area 26 is approximately the same or slightly less than theinside diameter of the depressed top wall portion 20. Also it will beseen that the height of the flanges 22 and 27 of the top and bottom wallareas is such that when the projecting bottom wall area 26 is introducedinto the depressed top wall area the fiat outer surfaces of the adjacentannular portions 29 and 24 respectively will come into contact or restone upon the other. Also, the opposing surfaces of the portions 20 and26 will hear one against the other and consequently when the two cansare stacked in the manner shown in FIG. 1, their opposing surfaces willbe in face-to-face contact throughout.

In the second embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to6, it will be seen that one end wall of the receptacle is formed toprovide an opening with a closure member which can be applied andremoved as desired. The receptacles of the second embodiment shown instacked relation are designated 10a and 12a. Such receptacle, like theone previously described, comprises the body wall portion 31 and the topand bottom or end walls 32 and 33 respectively.

The top wall 32 comprises the centrally positioned depressed portion 34which is joined at its outer edge and defined by the upstanding flange35, which flange in turn at its top edge is joined as at 36 to the flatannular portion 37 and the outer edge of this annular portion is joinedas at 33 to the edge of the wall 31. This container is here shown asbeing formed of metal or other material and the join at 38 in this casemay be effected by solder or other sealing means.

In the first described embodiment the depressed portion of the containerwhich is designated 2%), is shown as being plane while in this secondembodiment the depressed portion 34 is broken by a central pour opening39 defined by an outwardly extending lip. The opening 39 is covered orclosed by a removable cap 41 which consists of the central disc portion42 formed integrally with a channeled rim 43. The channel 44- of thisrim 43 is of a size to snugly receive the lip 49. Thus, when the cap 41is pressed down onto the lip and the latte-r is frictionally engaged inthe channel, the dispensing aperture will be fully closed.

The bottom 33 comprises the outwardly projecting area 45 and the centralpart of this area is inwardly ofiset to form a socket 46 which embodiesa central inset portion 47 defined by a flange 48 which couples theportion 47 with the area 45. Here the outwardly projecting area 45actually constitutes a central part corresponding to and functioning ina manner similar to the projecting area 26 of the first describedstructure in that it is formed for extension into the depressed area onthe opposite or top end of. another container of duplicate construction.

The outer perimeter of the projecting area portion 45 joins a flange 49which extends inwardly or toward the interior of the body 31 and thisflange is joined at its inner or top edge with the inner edge of a fiatannular portion Sll of bottom 33 which lies in a plane normal to thelongitudinal axis of the body 31. This flat annular portion 50 is joinedat its outer edge to the adjacent end edge of the body 31 to which it isfixed or sealed by soldering, welding or the like, as indicated at 30'in FIG. 6'.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, the outwardly projecting area 45 of theupper container 10a is snugly frictionally engaged in the inset area 34-in the top of the lower container 12a. The inside diameter of the flange48 is approximately the same as or slightly larger than, the overall oroutside diameter of the channeled rim 43 of the cap or closure 41.

The outside diameter of the flange 49 is approximately equal to orslightly less than the inside diameter of the flange 35 of the top wallof the container.

Thus, the containers can be securely coupled together so that any numberof such containers can be stacked and the stack will maintain itsstability. At the same time the closure 41 of any container can beeasily and quickly removed to facilitate removal of the contents of thecontainer through the opening 39.

In the third embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9,the receptacle or container is in the form of a composite of the tWohereinbefore described forms or types in that the top formation of one,such as the container 10a is combined with the bottom formation of theother such as the container 10. In this third embodiment the containeris generally designated 1%.

While in illustrating the third embodiment the container has been shownas being approximately the same size as the containers 10 and 10a, forconvenience of illustration, it is contemplated to use this third formor embodiment of the container in large sizes primarily for containingpaints and other heavy liquids. This third embodiment provides for easystoring and also provides a non-drip type of container The container bcomprises the body or wall portion 50. This body is shown as being ofcylindrical form although it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited in this respect since the same may be square or of any othercontour.

The top end or top wall, generally designated 51, comprises thecentrally depressed portion 52 which at its outer edge joins anupstanding flange 53 and this flange in turn is joined at its top edgeto the flat annular portion 54. This flat annular portion 54 engages atits outer edge or periphery with and is joined to the top edge of thewall 50 at 55 and may be secured by welding or soldering or in any othersuitable manner. The portion 52 joins an inner axially and outwardlyextending annular flange 56 which defines a pour opening 57. This pouropening is closed by the cap or lid 58 which consists of a central discportion 59 joined to the channeled rim 60. The channel 61 formed by thisrim is designed to receive the flange 56 so that the cap 58 tightlycloses the pour opening as shown.

The flange 53 is of materially greater height than the flange 56 so thatthe top of the cap 58 lies a substantial distance below the top of theannular portion 54 to facilitate the frictional engagement within thearea defined by the flange 53 of the bottom portion of anotherreceptacle of duplicate construction.

The bottom or opposite end wall 62 of the receptacle 10b corresponds tothe bottom wall 18 of the receptacle 14. This bottom end wall 62comprises the central outwardly or axially projecting area or portion 63which is joined to or defined by the encircling flange 64. This flangein turn joins the inner edge 65 of a flat annular portion 66. Theperiphery of this portion 66 engages and is secured in a suitable mannerto the bottom end edge of the wall 50 as indicated at 67, suchconnection or joinder being effected by welding, soldering or the like.

The overall or outside diameter of the flange 64 of the bottom wallcorresponds to the inside diameter of the flange 53 forming a part ofthe top wall so that the projecting portion of the bottom wall of onereceptacle or container can be inserted into and frictionally coupledwith the top wall of a container of duplicate form or construction asillustrated in FIG. 7.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 7, the extension of the flange 53 of thetop wall of the container above the top of the cap or closure 58 issuflioient to provide an area of frictional engagement with the bottomwall of another container to insure the secure connection together oftwo containers when placed one upon the other.

In addition to the foregoing the central part 63 of the bottom wall ofthe container provides, in a large size container, a wide area ofcontact with an underlying supporting surface which insures thestabiliity of the container when it is placed upon a supporting surface.

As a further novel feature of this modified construction of thecontainer 10b, the additional length of the flange 53 of the top wallinsets the pour opening to an extent which prevents dripping when thecontainer has been tipped for pouring out some of the contents and isthen restored to its upright condition as any liquid retained on the lipof the pour opening, which constitutes the flange 56, will run down intothe space between the flanges 53 and 56.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided in the threeembodiments illustrated and described, a container in which the top andbottom or opposite end walls are formed in a novel manner which willpermit any number of containers so constructed to be assembled andstacked as desired.

While the containers have been here shown as being of circular orcylindrical form, it will be appreciated that the invention is notnecessarily limited to this form since the top and bottom Walls may becombined with or made a part of containers of any cross sectionaldesign. Likewise, it will be seen that while the depressed and extendedportions of the opposite walls of the container have been shown anddescribed as circular, these portions also may be of some other form orcontour and still maintain or possess the advantages herein describedfor the form shown.

I claim:

A container comprising a body portion and opposite end walls joinedthereto, one of said end walls having a depressed area disposed inwardlyof a first surrounding flat surface lying in a plane normal to thelongitudinal center of the container and said area having an outer edgedefined by one axially extending bordering flange, the other end wallhaving an outwardly projecting area disposed outwardly from a secondsurrounding flat surface lying in a plane parallel with said first flatsurface and said projecting area having an outer edge defined by anotherbordering flange projecting axially outwardly from the second flatsurface and the outside dimension of the other flange defining saidprojecting area being sufliciently less than the inside dimension of theflange bordering said depressed area whereby the flange borderingprojecting area of the container will fit snugly into the depressed areaof another container of duplicate construction to frictionally interlocktherewith and to firmly couple one container to another whereby thecontainers may be tilted at a substantial angle to the vertical withoutseparating, said depressed area being provided with an inner peripheraledge defining an opening therethrough, a peripherally continuous lipconnected to said inner peripheral edge and projecting axially outwardlytherefrom, said lip having an axial dimension less than said onebordering flange, a trough defined between said lip and borderingflange, a removable closure cap surrounding said lip and closing saidopening, the other bordering flange dimensioned so that the projectingarea of the other end wall of the container is spaced from the secondsurrounding flat surface at a distance substantially equal to the axialdistance between the outer surface of the closure cap and said firstsurrounding flat surface whereby the projecting area of the container isadapted to extend into the depressed area of said container of duplicateconstruction and abut its cap, the outwardly projecting area beingspaced radially inwardly and axially outwardly of the second surroundingflat surface, an inner flange connected to the periphery of theoutwardly projecting area and projecting axially outwardly therefrom, aradial flange connected between the axially outer ends of the otherbordering flange and the inner flange, said inner flange being sodimensioned that it will snugly engage the periphery of the cap of saidcontainer of duplicate construction so as to frictionally interlocktherewith and said radial flange will have bearing contact with thedepressed area of said container of duplicate construction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS853,497 Carnes May 14, 1907 861,751 Mitchell July 30, 1907 2,052,475Jones Aug. 25, 1936 2,077,027 Torras Apr. 13, 1937 2,310,420 Graham Feb.9, 1943 2,978,142 Novick Apr. 4, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,646 GreatBritain of 1896 400,766 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1933 832,243 France June27, 1938 961,606 Germany Apr. 11, 1957 16,356 Germany Jan. 19, 1956

